Hokianga Home Guard's Activities

Northern Advocate, 2 April 1941, Page 2

Hokianga Home Guard's Activities

The Umawera platoon of the North Hokianga Home Guard, with the assistance of local members of the National Military Reserve, on Saturday successfully defended the Pukehua hill against an "invading force."

Tho invaders were the Mangamuka and Orawau platoons of the Home Guard.

The defenders. the Guardsmen under the command of Mr Keith Radford and the N.M.R. men under Mr J. Tulloch, marched to the outward defence lines from the marshalling ground at the local hall. They made extensive use of cover during their march, and it was not until they were at very close quarters that the observers noticed their presence.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the attacking party were observed to be on the march some two miles distant. They marched in artillery formation, and after leaving the road were not observed again until they were about 1000 yards away from the furthest north defence position. The attackers were under the command of Mr McCullough, commander of the Orawau platoon.

The final attack of the OrawauMangamuka platoons was made in one solid rush, but the defence positions were so strongly held that no party had any chance of getting through.

At the conclusion of an address by their commander, Mr E. Newton, who acted as umpire, the ' members had lunch, and all were able to discuss the battle as it appeared to them. One and all reached unity on one point: That a similar exercise must be held again shortly so that mistakes made on this occasion could be rectified. After lunch, members listened with interest to an address by Mr R. F. McFarland, head teacher of the Tutekehua school, on the subject of first aid, Mr George Carman acting as the patient. The remainder of the afternoon was taken up with company drill, of which the men made a mosit excellent display. N.c.o.’s of the Orawau platoon gave a display of rifle instruction, and their efforts here met with very favourable comment from both their commander and fellow-members of the three platoons.